Sauce

This piquant French sauce comes together in the blender in just five minutes.

Among the top tier of sauces is Indonesian satay sauce, because it is the embodiment of joy and life. In fact, this sauce is also trustworthy and highly respectful of whatever it comes into contact with—perhaps it is, in fact, the perfect friend?

An ex-boyfriend’s mom—who emigrated from Colombia—made the best meat sauce—she would fry sofrito for the base and simply add cooked ground beef, sazón, and jarred tomato sauce. My version is a bit more bougie—it calls for caramelized tomato paste and white wine—but the result is just as good.

This sauce is slightly magical. The texture cloaks pasta much like a traditional meat sauce does, and the flavors are deep and rich, but it’s actually vegan!

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Every sauce needs a few secrets. Ours is smoky, sweet, and savory—use it for burgers, fries, tenders, and more.

This velvety white wine sauce imparts tangy, rich flavor to everything it touches.

Developed in the 1980s by a chef in Hong Kong, this sauce is all about umami.

Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.

Serving something spicy? Keep your cool with this easy Indian raita.

Use this classic lemon curd on scones, in yogurt, or between layers of meringue.

For a next-level salad dressing that’s creamy, nutty, and luxurious, look to that container of store-bought hummus.

Pile it on waffles, stir into Greek yogurt, or spoon over cheesecake or crepes: Blueberry compote knows no bounds.

The little black dress of Italian American cooking—get the recipe for the stuffed shells here.

Simple, garlicky aioli comes together in just a couple of minutes and improves everything from sandwiches to grilled fish to fresh vegetables

This Thanksgiving condiment celebrates key New England flavors: cranberries, of course, but also maple syrup and apple cider.